Patrolling along State's coast to prevent heroin smuggling to Sri Lanka

Narcotic drug enforcement authorities have noticed a lull in smuggling of heroin to Sri Lanka from the Tamil Nadu Coast in the last one-and-a-half months.

The escalating conflict in the island nation and intensified patrolling along the State's coast by various agencies have considerably reduced smuggling activities.
Indian and Sri Lankan Navies have stepped up vigil. Following the seizure of a lathe machine off the Rameswaram coast, boosters from a vehicle at Othakadai near Manamadurai and a rocket packed in a wooden box near the International Maritime Boundary Line, the police have intensified patrolling along the coast.

Analysis of the seizures in October and November showed there had been a fall in the quantity of brown sugar smuggled to Sri Lanka. There was no major seizure in November, except a case at Tuticorin involving 1.960 kg.

Mr. Raghavan said within a week in October, the NCB seized about 30 kg of heroin, destined for Sri Lanka, from various places in the State. In one case, 16.05 kg of heroin was seized from two cars at Rose Garden junction, Udhagamandalam. Besides documents, Rs.1.55 lakh was seized.